The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has defended the right of Ghanaians to freely express their views, warning against attempts to silence citizens in public discourse.
Ahiagbah stressed that every Ghanaian has a constitutional right to participate in national conversations without fear of intimidation.
His comments come amid controversy over recent remarks by a political appointee that triggered public backlash and led to an apology from the Chief of Staff.
Ahiagbah described the situation as part of a broader concern about what he termed a growing “politics of insult,” where individuals are attacked for expressing their views.
“We must have a broader conversation about politics of insult… attacking and disrespecting someone simply because they’re expressing their views,” he said.
He argued that Ghana’s democratic progress depends on open engagement and the free exchange of ideas, adding that citizens must be encouraged to contribute to governance discussions.
According to him, the apology issued by the Chief of Staff reflects national disapproval of attempts to undermine free expression, but he insisted that further action may be necessary to reinforce accountability.
Ahiagbah warned that failure to address such incidents decisively could normalise conduct that discourages citizen participation in governance.
He emphasised that constitutional protections apply to all individuals, regardless of their background or status.
“It doesn’t matter if they are a bishop or a traditional leader, they are, first of all, a citizen whose voice must not be silenced,” he stated.
The NPP communications director concluded by calling for a national commitment to respectful political discourse, urging leaders to uphold standards that protect freedom of expression in Ghana’s democracy.
